5 golfers who could contest Scottie Scheffler for the 2024 Player of the Year title
Scottie Scheffler has been phenomenal in 2024 and is the leading contender for the PGA Tour Player of the Year (POY) title. The POY award is announced at the end of the year or early in the following year and is given to the player with the most outstanding performance of the season.
There are no specific criteria to win the title. It is determined by a vote among tour members, who select the player they believe deserves the honor. However, voting members must have participated in at least 15 events to be eligible to vote for the title.
Scheffler has won the award in the past two seasons and is again the top contender for 2024. However, several other players on the circuit have delivered exceptional performances this season and could challenge the World No. 1 for the POY title.
5 golfers who could contest Scottie Scheffler for the 2024 Player of the Year title
#5. Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele has had a marvelous season in 2024 and has a strong chance of winning the 2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year title. He has won two major events this year, the PGA Championship and The Open Championship.
The American golfer has competed in 21 events on the Tour in 2024, recording three runner-up finishes and 15 top-10 finishes. Moreover, he has not missed any cuts.
#4. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is also a strong contender for the title. The Northern Irish golfer has won two PGA Tour events this year: the Zurich Classic and the Wells Fargo Championship. He also came very close to winning the 2024 U.S. Open, missing the title by just one stroke.
McIlroy has played in 19 PGA Tour events in 2024, making the cut in 18 of them. He has also achieved seven top-10 finishes, bolstering his chances for the POY title.
#3. Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama is another notable candidate, having won two PGA Tour events in 2024, a signature event 'The Genesis Invitational' and a FedEx Cup playoff event.
The Japanese golfer secured victory at the 2024 Genesis Invitational with rounds of 69, 68, 68, and 62. He also won the FedEx Cup St. Jude Championship and earned a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. Matsuyama has competed in 19 tournaments this season and has achieved seven top-10 finishes.
#2. Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry is another golfer who could contend for the PGA Tour Player of the Year title. He has won one tournament this season and has been impressive in the majors.
The Irish player competed in 20 tournaments and recorded seven top-10 finishes. He won the Zurich Classic and secured third place at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a signature event.
Lowry tied for sixth at the PGA Championship and finished solo sixth at The Open Championship. His most recent appearance was at the Tour Championship, where he finished in a T9 position.
#1. Nick Dunlap
PGA Tour rookie Nick Dunlap is also in the POY title race. The 20-year-old golfer became the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour event. He achieved a phenomenal victory at The American Express and soon after began his professional career.
Dunlap has won two PGA Tour events in 2024 and recorded three top-10 finishes, all in his first year on the circuit. After turning pro, he won the 2024 Barracuda Championship.